Northern Cape gets Safa nod for playoffs

The South African Football Association (Safa) has given Northern Cape the greenlight to host the 2006/07 SAB Regional League national playoffs.

The matches will be played in Galeshewe from April 31 to May 5, Selokela Masetle, Safa director of competitions confirmed yesterday.

"We had a high- powered delegation from both Safa and the SAB that went to inspect the facilities. We were all impressed with what we saw.

"I must commend Sylvester Ndaba and his colleagues from the corporate affairs and marketing for their continued commitment to the league.

"We are excited about taking the playoffs to Northern Cape, it forms part of Safa's policy of taking the big games to the people.

"It is a known fact that the best talent scouts in South Africa and some from Europe will be coming to the playoffs in search of new talent.

"All the stakeholders in the Northern Cape have pledged to help us in making the playoffs one of the best development soccer events," added Masetle.

The Safa competitions chief said all nine provincial champions will take part in the tournament, which has produced an array of big names.

"All the nine clubs that will be coming to Galeshewe have already earned themselves promotion to the Vodacom League.

"The aim of the Galeshewe games is to determine the national winners."

Meanwhile, Beatrice Liverpool of Virginia are the Free State SAB Regional League champions. They achieved the feat after defeating Manyatseng FC from Lady Brand 5-0 in a one sided match played at the Flavius Mareka sports grounds. Liverpool will represent Free State in Galeshewe.